Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Asheville area faith events, music, classes, more this month

Staff reports
Published 6:58 a.m. ET Oct. 20, 2017

Watch a video of a talk by Rev. Matthew Wright online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKcWzIOpnJ8.(Photo: Courtesy photo)

Email information about faith-based events at least two weeks in advance to Bruce Steele at bsteele@citizen-times.com and Carole Terrell at cterrell@citizen-times.com.

Rev. Wright visits FCUCC

HENDERSONVILLE — Here’s some of what’s going on at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. W. To learn more, visit fcchendersonville.org or call 828-692-8630:

• Ashley Lecture Series features Rev. Matthew Wright, an Episcopal priest, writer, retreat leader and Murphy native now at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Woodstock, New York. The Oct. 21 topics are “The Gospels of Thomas and Mary: Restoring Wisdom Texts and Teaching” at 10 a.m. and “Christianity in a Second Axial Age: Teilhard de Chardin and Raimon Panikkar as Prophets of an Evolving Path” at 1 p.m. A noon lunch is available. Lectures are $25 each. Wright will also speak Oct. 22 at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

Jubilee hosts Baha’i bicentennial

This program, preceded by a free and inclusive brunch, will include music, storytelling and short plays about the lives of the Bab and Baha’u’llah, Baha’i Prophet founders. A children’s program will be provided. Youth and children are encouraged to attend.

Burns inducted into So. Gospel Hall of Fame

PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee - Troy Burns, one of the founding members of the Inspirations Quartet, which started in 1964, was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame last month. Burns will have a bronze bust in the Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame at Dollywood.

Burns has also been the lead singer for Archie Watkins & Smoky Mountain Reunion. He has recorded more than 700 songs and performed more than 7,000 concerts. He was saved at a revival in 1962 when he 10.

Haywood Christian Academy consolidates campus

CLYDE - Haywood Christian Academy has made a significant step in its multi-phase plan to consolidate on a single campus: It has paid off its mortgage thanks to the generosity of donors.

“We are excited to have taken this first step in our desire to bring Haywood Christian Academy together on one campus with full facilities,” said Kristen Stevens, chairperson for the board of directors.

St. Eugene’s hosts Respecting Life forum

ASHEVILLE - The Peace and Justice Ministry and Respect Life Ministries and the Knights of Columbus of the Parish of St. Eugene are sponsoring Respecting Life forums on Thursdays in October, open to everyone, meeting at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 72 Culvern St. Each evening begins with a soup dinner at 6:15, followed by the presentation from 7-8:30 p.m.

Institute for Faith welcomes Stortz

HICKORY - Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Institute for Faith and Learning will continue its Speaker Series with a presentation by Dr. Martha Stortz at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 in Grace Chapel. Stortz will offer a second presentation at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at LRU’s Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina.

There will be a poor man’s supper, large items such as furniture for sale, Christmas items for sale and a bake sale. To learn more, call 828-298-3057.

Bullying forum at St. James

ASHEVILLE - St. James AME Church is hosting "Stop Bullying: Stand Up, Speak Out," a community forum, from noon-3 p.m. Oct. 28 at the church, 44 Hildebrand St.

The forum is sponsored by the East End Valley St. Neighborhood Association and the Rosa Walker Advancement Initiative of St. James. The event is free and open to all, but middle and high school students and their parents are especially encouraged to attend.

​The keynote presenter will be Rev. Stephanie M. Atkins of Baltimore, Maryland, whose own experience with bullying within her family is the topic of her presentation, "Silence of the Lambs: Let Their Voices Be Heard." Representatives of local school systems will also speak.

Giesemann at Unity of the Blue Ridge

MILLS RIVER - Here’s some of what’s going on at Unity of the Blue Ridge, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road. To learn more about these events or other Unity programs, visit unityblueridgenc.org or call 828-891-8700:

• Author Suzanne Giesemann presents the workshop “The Gift of Guidance” on Nov. 2. Giesemann is a retired U.S. Navy commander, author of 11 books, a metaphysical teacher and an evidential medium, able to communicate with those on the other side of the life-death divide. Cost is $25. To register, visit http://giesemann.link/Guidance.

• Weekly services are at 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. every Sunday.

• Fall Study Series began Oct. 1, based on the book “Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone” by Brené Brown.

Funds raised in Mills River

MILLS RIVER - Here's some of what's going on at Mills River Presbyterian Church, 10 Presbyterian Church Road. To learn more about these events, call the church at 828-891-7101 or visit millsriverpresbyterianchurch.org:

• Sunday school meets at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday until June for children ages 3 and up, as well as adults. Pastor Oviedo will lead a Spanish-language Bible study. For details, contact the church or go online.

• Healing prayer time, 1-2 p.m. the second Friday of every month. Next meeting is Nov. 10. Arrive by 1:30 p.m.; stay at least 30 minutes. Prayers will be offered up for those attending, whether for physical, emotional or spiritual healing. Nondenominational; everyone is welcome.

Transformation America meets

FLAT ROCK — Transformation America is an alliance of faith-based and conservative people and groups working together to deepen understanding of America’s Christian roots and how to craft a better future.

Meditation at St. George’s Episcopal

ASHEVILLE — An interspiritual Intentional Meditation program will be offered 2-3:30 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the Center for Art and Spirit at St. George’s Episcopal Church, at 1 School Road in the Malvern Hills community of West Asheville.

The program, sponsored by the nonprofit Spring Creek Spirituality, includes instruction and a variety of silent meditation forms. Participation is by donation. To learn more, visit SpringCreekSpirituality.com.

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study seeks members

HENDERSONVILLE — The Christian Men’s Breakfast Bible Study is open to new members. This ecumenical group meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Dixie Diner on U.S. 64 W. in Laurel Park.

Every week, four Scriptures are discussed, per the weekly lectionary used in most Christian liturgical churches, including selections from the Old Testament, Psalms, an Epistle and a Gospel. Bring your Bible of choice. No homework is required

Those who attend order breakfast from the menu and are responsible for the cost. To learn more, call Bob Andersen at 828-697-0464.

Community service offered

ASHEVILLE — The Community on Haywood is an alternative fellowship and worshiping community. It meets Wednesdays for nondenominational worship and socializing. On the first, third and fifth Wednesdays, join the community for a meal and music-filled worship starting at 5:30 p.m. at West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road. On the second and fourth Wednesdays, meet at 6 p.m. at a local pub for "Bible and Brew."

On Tuesdays, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at West Asheville Presbyterian, the Community on Haywood offers God's Cafe, a lunchtime program that includes a meal, prayer and Bible study (this year focused on the book of Revelation). Arrive anytime from 11:30-noon.